Safety system for an automobile

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to automobiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a safety system for an automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various studies on road accidents provide conclusive evidence that the ejection of an occupant out of an automobile and the protrusion of the occupant's body parts out of the automobile are the major causes of injuries and casualties in road accidents. Generally, in an accident such as a rollover or a collision, the window glasses and windshields of the automobile are shattered. In such a case, there are no barriers that restrain the occupant from being thrown out of the automobile. Further, due to the absence of any barriers, foreign material such as debris may enter the automobile, causing injury to the occupant. In the worst cases, the occupant can be ejected out the automobile due to the impact of the accident, resulting in serious injury and even death.

Various systems exist to prevent the above-mentioned situations. One such system includes a shield that covers the windows of an automobile when the automobile decelerates rapidly. Another system includes a curtain with an inflatable and an uninflatable portion. The inflatable portion covers a significant region of the windows of the automobile during an accident. The uninflatable portion covers the area of the window that is not covered by the inflatable portion. Yet another system includes inflatable airbags at the windows of an automobile. During an accident, the airbags are inflated with gas and cover the windows.

In the light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for a system for preventing the ejection of an occupant and the protrusion of the occupant's body parts from an automobile during an accident. The system should provide a barrier that protects the occupant from the shattered glass pieces and other debris from outside. It should also prevent the airbags from getting damaged by the shattered glass pieces and other debris. Further, it should provide a safe exit route to the occupant after the accident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to ascertain an imminent accident prior to its occurrence.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that prevents the ejection of an occupant or the protrusion of the occupant's body out of an automobile during an accident.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that protects the occupant from pieces of shattered glasses and debris during an accident.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that prevents the airbags at the windows of an automobile from getting damaged from shattered glasses at the windows during an accident.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a safe exit route to an occupant through the window after an accident.

The present invention provides a safety system for an automobile. The safety system has a plurality of sensors, a processor, and one or more parasols. The plurality of sensors monitors a plurality of parameters. Based on the plurality of parameters, the processor ascertains an imminent accident, and one or more parasols cover one or more day light openings (DLOs) of the automobile. This prevents an occupant of the automobile from being ejected out of the automobile or from getting hurt by the broken window panes or the debris.

The present invention provides a method for aiding in the safety of an occupant in an automobile. The method includes monitoring a plurality of parameters. Thereafter, based on the plurality of parameters, an imminent accident is ascertained, and one or more DLOs of the automobile are covered by one or more parasols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a side view of an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a block diagram of a safety system for the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a parasol assembly that enables a parasol to cover a day light opening (DLO), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method for aiding in the safety of an occupant in the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method for aiding in the safety of an occupant in the automobile, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention describes a safety system for an automobile and a method for aiding in the safety of an occupant in the automobile. The safety system includes a plurality of sensors, a processor, and one or more parasols. The plurality of sensors monitors a plurality of parameters. Based on the plurality of parameters, the processor ascertains an imminent accident, and one or more parasols cover one or more day light openings (DLOs) of the automobile.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a side view of an automobile <b>102</b>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Automobile <b>102</b> includes a plurality of sensors <b>104</b> mounted on its body. Plurality of sensors <b>104</b> may be mounted on one or more of the front ends of a side sill, the rear ends of a side sill, and the B-pillar of automobile <b>102</b>. In various embodiments of the present invention, plurality of sensors <b>104</b> may be mounted on the front bumper and the rear bumper of automobile <b>102</b>. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that in addition to the locations mentioned above, plurality of sensors <b>104</b> can also be mounted at any other location on automobile <b>102</b>. Examples of a sensor include, but are not limited to, a radar sensor, a rollover sensor, a laser sensor, and an infrared sensor. Plurality of sensors <b>104</b> may monitor a plurality of parameters, such as the speed of automobile <b>102</b>, the acceleration of automobile <b>102</b>, and the clearance of automobile <b>102</b> from nearby objects such as other automobiles, and so forth. For example, a radar sensor uses an electromagnetic impulse to determine the distance of automobile <b>102</b> from the nearby objects. A rollover sensor measures the initial speed, the lateral acceleration, the vertical acceleration, the roll velocity of automobile <b>102</b>, and so forth. Automobile <b>102</b> also includes one or more day light openings (DLOs) <b>106</b>. A DLO is a transparent opening in an automobile, such as a front window, a rear window, a quarter window and a backlight window, which enables the occupant of an automobile to view the outside from inside the automobile.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a block diagram of a safety system <b>200</b> for automobile <b>102</b>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Safety system <b>200</b> includes a plurality of sensors <b>202</b>, a processor <b>204</b>, and one or more parasols <b>206</b>. The plurality of sensors <b>202</b> monitors a plurality of parameters. The plurality of parameters include, but are not limited to, the speed of automobile <b>102</b>, the acceleration/deceleration of automobile <b>102</b>, the clearance of automobile <b>102</b> from nearby objects such as other automobiles, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, plurality of sensors <b>202</b> monitors the plurality of parameters when the engine of automobile <b>102</b> is powered up. Based on the plurality of parameters, processor <b>204</b> ascertains an imminent accident such as a front collision, a side collision, a rear collision, an oblique collision, and a rollover of automobile <b>102</b>. When processor <b>204</b> ascertains the imminent accident, one or more parasols <b>206</b> cover one or more DLOs <b>106</b> of automobile <b>102</b>. In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of parasols <b>206</b> are made from materials such as nylon fiber, mylar fiber, kevlar fiber, dacron fiber, and carbon fiber.

In an embodiment of the present invention, safety system <b>200</b> for automobile <b>102</b> further includes an electric motor. The electric motor enables one or more parasols <b>206</b> to cover one or more DLOs <b>106</b> when processor <b>204</b> ascertains the imminent accident. In another embodiment of the present invention, safety system <b>200</b> includes one or more airbags at one or more DLOs <b>106</b>. The one or more airbags are inflated when processor <b>204</b> ascertains an imminent accident. In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more parasols <b>206</b> prevent the one or more airbags from protruding out of one or more DLOs <b>106</b>. This prevents the one or more airbags from getting displaced from their positions, thereby providing an adequate cushioning to an occupant during an accident.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, safety system <b>200</b> also includes a plurality of safety devices such as a braking system, a seat belt, and a hood latch system. The plurality of safety devices are activated when processor <b>204</b> ascertains an imminent accident. For example, in a side collision of an automobile, its side airbags inflate and thus provides a cushion to the occupant. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, processor <b>204</b> can select the safety device to be activated, based on the imminent accident. For example, when a front collision is ascertained, the front airbags of automobile <b>102</b> may be inflated but the side airbags may not.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a parasol assembly <b>300</b> that enables a parasol <b>302</b> to cover a day light opening (DLO) <b>304</b>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The parasol assembly <b>300</b> includes parasol <b>302</b>, a cylinder <b>306</b>, rollers <b>308</b>, drums <b>310</b>, and an electric motor <b>312</b>. Parasol <b>302</b> includes one or more seams <b>314</b> and one or more chords <b>316</b>. Pulling these one or more chords <b>316</b> tears parasol <b>302</b> at one or more seams <b>314</b>. During an accident, parasol <b>302</b> covers DLO <b>304</b> and the glass covering DLO <b>304</b> rolls down. After the accident, an occupant can pull one or more chords <b>316</b> to tear parasol <b>302</b> at one or more seams <b>314</b>. This provides the occupant a safe exit from automobile <b>102</b>, through DLO <b>304</b> after the accident.

In an embodiment of the present invention, one end of parasol <b>302</b> is fixed to a frame <b>318</b> by means of fasteners. The other end of parasol <b>302</b> is wrapped around cylinder <b>306</b>, which has rollers <b>308</b> at its ends. Rollers <b>308</b> can roll on parallel tracks <b>320</b> and are coupled to drums <b>310</b> through cables <b>322</b>. When processor <b>204</b> ascertains an imminent accident, electric motor <b>312</b> rotates drums <b>310</b> through a shaft <b>324</b>. The rotating drums <b>310</b> wrap cables <b>322</b> around themselves. Thereby, cylinder <b>306</b> moves away from frame <b>318</b>. This unwraps parasol <b>302</b> from cylinder <b>306</b>. Parasol <b>302</b> thereby covers DLO <b>304</b>. In an embodiment of the present invention, when parasol <b>302</b> completely covers DLO <b>304</b>, latches <b>326</b> enable parasol <b>302</b> to remain spread over DLO <b>304</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method for aiding in the safety of an occupant in automobile <b>102</b>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step <b>402</b>, a plurality of parameters is monitored. In an embodiment of the present invention, plurality of sensors <b>202</b> monitors the plurality of parameters. The plurality of parameters may include, but are not limited to, the speed of automobile <b>102</b>, the acceleration of automobile <b>102</b>, and the clearance of automobile <b>102</b> from nearby objects such as other automobiles. At step <b>404</b>, an imminent accident is ascertained, based on the plurality of parameters. In an embodiment of the present invention, processor <b>204</b> ascertains the imminent accident. If the imminent accident is ascertained, then step <b>406</b> is performed. At step <b>406</b>, one or more DLOs <b>106</b> of automobile <b>102</b> are covered by one or more parasols <b>206</b>. If the imminent accident is not ascertained at step <b>404</b>, then step <b>402</b> is performed again.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method for aiding in the safety of an occupant in automobile <b>102</b>, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. At step <b>502</b>, a plurality of parameters is monitored. The plurality of parameters include, but are not limited to, the speed of automobile <b>102</b>, the acceleration of automobile <b>102</b>, and the clearance of automobile <b>102</b> from nearby objects such as other automobiles. In an embodiment of the present invention, plurality of sensors <b>202</b> monitors the plurality of parameters. At step <b>504</b>, the values of the plurality of parameters are converted to a plurality of corresponding voltages. In an embodiment of the present invention, plurality of sensors <b>202</b> converts the plurality of parameters to the plurality of corresponding voltages. At step <b>506</b>, it is determined whether at least one of the plurality of voltages is more than a corresponding threshold voltage. In an embodiment of the present invention, processor <b>204</b> compares each of the plurality of voltages with the corresponding threshold voltage to ascertain an imminent accident. If at least one of the plurality of voltages is more than the corresponding threshold voltages, then step <b>508</b> is performed. At step <b>508</b>, one or more parasols <b>206</b> spread out at one or more DLOs <b>106</b>. At step <b>510</b>, one or more airbags are inflated at one or more DLOs <b>106</b>. At step <b>512</b>, one or more glasses at one or more DLOs <b>106</b> roll down. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that steps <b>508</b>, <b>510</b> and <b>512</b> may occur simultaneously or in a sequence that is different from the one stated above. In an embodiment of the present invention, various safety devices in automobile <b>102</b> can be activated when the imminent accident is ascertained. If at least one of the plurality of voltages is not more than the corresponding threshold voltage, then step <b>502</b> is performed.

An advantage of the safety system is that it ascertains an accident prior to its occurrence. It covers the DLOs of an automobile, preventing the ejection of an occupant and the protrusion of the occupant's body out of the automobile in the event of an accident. It also protects the occupants from the pieces of shattered glasses and the other debris from outside. Further, it prevents the airbags from being destroyed by the pieces of shattered glasses and other debris during the accident. The safety system also prevents the airbags from bulging out of the windows. Moreover, the safety system provides a safe exit to the occupants after the accident.

While the various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited only to these embodiments. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claims.